We bring you last week's top performances from New Zealanders who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is former international swingman
Mitchell Dance (192-2001, currently plays in Australia). He led
Eltham Wildcats to a victory over the 17th-ranked Cavaliers (3-9)
82-63 in the Australian State League (second division) in Sunday night's game.
Dance was MVP of the game. He scored 33 points (!!!), grabbed 4 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 36 minutes on the court.
Eltham Wildcats (5-7) are placed 14th in NBL1 South group.
Dance has individually a very good year with high stats. He averages: 20.1ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 49.6%, 3FGP: 32.0% and FT: 56.5% in 11 games he played so far.
Dance played for the New Zealand senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international center
James Hunter (208-1991, college:
S.Dakota, currently plays in Australia). He was the main contributor in
Mustangs' victory against the fifth-ranked Bulls (7-5)
109-103 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Hunter was the best player in that game. He had a double-double by scoring 35 points and getting 12 rebounds in 35 minutes; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Hunter's first season in pro basketball. Maitland Mustangs (7-6) are placed sixth in NBL1 East group.
Hunter has very impressive stats this year: 17.5ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.2bpg, 2FGP: 54.7%, 3FGP: 23.1% and FT: 62.1% in 13 games.
Former Manawatu Jets starter played for the New Zealand national team in 17.
#3. The New Zealand player who performed third best last week abroad was an experienced former international swingman
Zac Carter (203-1989, currently plays in Australia). He could not help
South West Metro Pirates (4-7) in their last game on Saturday. Despite Carter's very good performance the 12th-placed South West Metro Pirates (4-7) were crushed
110-86 on the road by the higher-ranked Thunder (#7) in the NBL1 North group.
He was the top scorer with 18 points. Carter also added 6 rebounds.
Carter has relatively good stats this season: 10.9ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.1apg, 3FGP: 28.8% and FT: 66.7%.
He has a dual citizenship: New Zealand and Australian.
Former Advice First Waikato Pistons starter played for the New Zealand national team year ago.
#4. Forward
Dyson King-Hawea (200-1992, currently plays in Australia) contributed to a
Dandenong Rangers' victory against the tenth-ranked Knox Raiders (7-6)
97-90 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
King-Hawea was the top player that evening. He recorded 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in 28 minutes.
Dandenong Rangers (4-9) are placed 15th in NBL1 South group.
King-Hawea has very impressive stats this year: 16.5ppg, 8.8rpg, 3.2apg and 1.4spg in 11 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 17.
#5. Former international swingman
Dion Prewster (195-1990, agency:
BIG, college:
SF Austin, currently plays in Australia) helped
Sabres win their game against the eighth-ranked Waverley Falcons (7-5)
102-94 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
Prewster was the top player that evening. He recorded a double-double by scoring 26 points and getting 12 rebounds; not bad, considering it's only Prewster's first season in pro basketball. Sandringham Sabres (8-5) are placed sixth in NBL1 South group.
This season Prewster has relatively solid stats: 13.6ppg, 5.3rpg and 2.0apg.
He is a naturalized American.
Prewster used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
He played also for Wellington Exodus Saints in New Zealand league.
#6. Guard
Shea Ili (184-1992, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Dion Prewster and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Ili was the major contributor in
Sabres' victory against the eighth-ranked Waverley Falcons (7-5)
102-94.
He recorded 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 34 minutes.
Ili has very impressive stats this year: 22.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 6.0apg and 1.9spg in seven games.
He is a former international player as he played for the New Zealand senior team year ago.
#7. Former international forward
Jonathan Janssen (205-1995, college:
HPU, currently plays in Australia) helped
Phoenix win their game against the sixth-ranked Rip City (6-3)
86-83 in the Australian State League (second division) last Saturday.
Janssen recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and getting 14 rebounds.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (7-5) is placed fifth in NBL1 North group.
This season Janssen has very high stats. He averages: 15.8ppg, 9.6rpg, 1.8apg and 1.3bpg.
Janssen used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
#8. Swingman
Reuben Te Rangi (198-1994, currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Dyson King-Hawea in the Australian State League last game.
Te Rangi was not able to help
Knox Raiders (8-5) in their last game. Despite his good performance Knox Raiders (#8) lost
90-97 in Dandenong to the much lower-ranked (#15) Rangers in the NBL1 South group.
Te Rangi recorded 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes.
Te Rangi has reliable stats this year: 10.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.0apg and 1.1spg in 10 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 20.
#9. Former U18 international forward
Sioeli Vaiangina (202-1998, college:
Panola JC, currently plays in Australia) helped
Wanneroo win their game against the 13th-ranked Eagles (1-12) crushing them
83-61 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Vaiangina recorded 11 points and blocked 2 shots.
Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves (13-0) are placed first in NBL1 West group.
So far his team won all thirteen games in the Regular Season.
Vaiangina's overall stats this season are: 9.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.4apg and 1.5bpg.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
years ago.
#10. Guard
Joshua Bloxham (186-1990, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Sioeli Vaiangina and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Bloxham managed to help Joondalup City Wanneroo Wolves to win against the 13th-ranked Eagles (1-12) crushing them
83-61.
He recorded only 3 points.
Bloxham's overall stats this season are: 2.1ppg and 2.2rpg.
He is a former international player as years ago he still played for the New Zealand senior national team.
#11. Former U18 international guard
Zach Young (185-1994, college:
Nicholls St., currently plays in Australia) faced previously mentioned Zac Carter in the Australian State League last game.
Young helped
Thunder win their game against the 12th-ranked South West Metro Pirates crushing them
110-86.
He recorded 6 points in only 5 minutes.
This year Young averages only 1.5ppg in eight games.
He used to play for the New Zealand U18 national team
years ago.
#12. Former international guard
Zane Meehl (188-1986, college:
Mid-Continent, currently plays in Australia) is a teammate of previously mentioned Jonathan Janssen and both played together in the last Australian State League game.
Meehl helped
Phoenix win their game against the sixth-ranked Rip City
86-83.
He recorded 5 points in 9 minutes.
This year Meehl's overall stats are: 2.9ppg and 1.2rpg in 12 games.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
back in 21.
#13. Former international guard
Ezra Nikora (183-1991, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Redbacks in their game against Flames in the Australian State League (second division). Nikora cannot count Friday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only one point.
His team were defeated
114-110.
This season Nikora averages only 0.2ppg.
He used to play for the New Zealand national team
years ago.
The list of other players, who all have New Zealand passport but never been selected to any of New Zealand national teams: #1. Taine Wattie (190-G-1998, currently plays in Australia) could not help
Townsville Heat (4-7) in their last game on Saturday. Despite his very good performance the 13th-placed Townsville Heat (4-7) was crushed
118-81 on the road by the higher-ranked Cairns Marlins (#8) in the NBL1 North group.
Wattie was the top scorer with 20 points. He also added 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
Wattie has relatively good stats this season: 14.6ppg, 4.3rpg, 2.9apg and 1.8spg.
#2. Javaan Mumtaz (193-G, college:
ENMU, currently plays in Australia) was not able to help
Northside Wizards (12-2) in their last game. Despite Mumtaz's good performance Northside Wizards lost
89-98 to the lower-ranked (#3) Salties in the NBL1 North group.
He recorded 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 36 minutes.
This year Mumtaz's overall stats are: 8.7ppg, 3.0rpg and 2.3apg in nine games he played so far.
#3. Mason Bragg (182-G-1993, currently plays in Australia) led
Phoenix to a 3-point victory against the sixth-ranked Rip City (6-3)
86-83 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He recorded 11 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
Sunshine Coast Phoenix (7-5) is placed fifth in NBL1 North group.
Bragg has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 16.4ppg, 4.7rpg, 5.6apg and 2.1spg.
#4. Xavier Shaw (203-PF-1992, college:
MSU-Northern, currently plays in Australia) led
Suns to a victory against the 14th-ranked Slammers (1-13)
84-80 in the Australian State League (second division) in Saturday night's game.
Shaw recorded 13 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 21 minutes.
Kalamunda Eastern Suns (3-10) are placed 11th in NBL1 West group.
This year Shaw's overall stats are: 8.7ppg and 7.4rpg in 13 games.
#5. Matthew Wilson (200-F-1992, currently plays in Australia) was not able to secure a victory for
Brisbane Spartans (8-2) in their game against Townsville Heat (4-7) in the Australian State League (second division).
Wilson scored 6 points.
Brisbane Spartans (#2) were crushed
110-85 in Hermit Park by the much lower-ranked Townsville Heat (#13) in the NBL1 North group.
It was Brisbane Spartans' first loss after seven consecutive victories.
Wilson's overall stats this season are: 3.0ppg and 1.2rpg.
#6. Experienced
Tiri Masunda (185-PG-1989, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
NW Tasmania Thunder in their game against Spectres in the Australian State League (second division).
He scored 9 points in 24 minutes.
His team was badly defeated by 17 points
88-71.
This year Masunda's overall stats are: 5.8ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.8apg in four games.
#7. Kazlo Evans (187-G-1980, currently plays in Australia) managed to help South Adelaide Panthers to win against the tenth-ranked Eastern Mavericks crushing them
102-72 in the Australian State League (second division) on Saturday night.
He recorded only 3 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Evans' overall stats this season are: 2.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 2.5apg.
#8. Dylan Ryburn (185-G, college:
Southeast CC, currently plays in Australia) couldn't help
Vikings in their game against Camberwell in the Australian State League (second division). Ryburn cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 3 points in 6 minutes on the court.
His team were crushed by 27 points
77-50.
This year Ryburn averages just 2.9ppg in 11 games.
